Cespedes says he’ll be OK; Norris will play some 1B today

I passed Yoenis Cespedes in the hallway just now and asked him in Spanish if he’s feeling better, and he responded in English, “I’ll be ready for the playoffs.”

Manager Bob Melvin said that Cespedes, who is out with right shoulder tendinitis, will not play today, but with four more days off until Game 1 of the Division Series, the hope is that the A’s slugger is good to go then.

Melvin is giving center fielder Coco Crisp and shortstop Jed Lowrie a rest; neither is in the starting lineup. Both have played a lot, and at premium positions. Melvin didn’t say so, but another good reason to keep those two out in a meaningless game is to ensure full health for the postseason.

The interesting thing to look for today: The Chronicle learned this morning that Derek Norris will get time at first base in today’s game, as much as half of the regular-season finale.

“Any chance I can get into a game at any position and make an impact for the team, I’ll do it – first base, catcher, DH, it doesn’t matter,” Norris told me. “Whatever they need me to do, I’ll do it.”

Norris’ previous game experience at first base consists of one minor-league game in 2007. He has taken grounders and throws there twice in the past week.

“It didn’t feel extremely strange, considering I haven’t played over there,” he said. “The big difference for me is at catcher I’m used to looking out at what’s going on and today, I have to think about going to the right place when the ball is hit, whether it’s to the base or to be in the right spot on the cutoff.

“I’m excited. I’ve caught and DH’d my whole carer, so this is new and today should be fun.”

Norris is still using Nate Freiman’s glove to play first. This is another indication that Freiman is unlikely to be on the Division Series roster; odds the A’s take three catchers are about 98 percent, I’m told.